Results 16,501-16,520 of 27,613 for speaker:Heather Humphreys

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Standard of Living and Social Protection: Minister for Social Protection (24 Mar 2022)

Heather Humphreys: We do not a figure for this cost because we do not individualise the cost of assessing these applications.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Standard of Living and Social Protection: Minister for Social Protection (24 Mar 2022)

Heather Humphreys: We have a team of staff who assess all of the applications when they come in. It is all included in our staff costs. I do not have a breakdown as to what apportionment is to a specific duty. I apologise but that is the best I can give on the answer.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Standard of Living and Social Protection: Minister for Social Protection (24 Mar 2022)

Heather Humphreys: Perhaps I am misunderstanding the question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Standard of Living and Social Protection: Minister for Social Protection (24 Mar 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Senator for her comments. She mentioned the cost of disability and the report. What is clear from the report is that the cost of disability is significantly broader than income supports. It is clear that it will not be addressed through income support alone. A basic standard income support for all people with disabilities is unlikely to address the costs incurred by those most...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Standard of Living and Social Protection: Minister for Social Protection (24 Mar 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I want to be clear. I am outlining what we have done in the Department, but I never said that is enough. In response to Deputy Cairns, we want to do more. I am certainly not sitting here, saying we are doing a great job; I am telling her what we have done. We increased it from €20,000 to €50,000. I think that is progress and I want to see more progress. In response to...

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and I commend the work of the Vincentian Partnership. We take on board many of its recommendations when compiling budgets. That is why in the most recent budget I was delighted to be able to introduce a broad range of measures to support carers. We increased the means threshold and the capital allowance. A great deal of work has been done in this...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Policies (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank Deputy Kerrane for raising this matter. Our Rural Future is the most ambitious and transformational policy for rural development in Ireland for decades. The policy contains more than 150 measures for delivery across the whole of government, with the underlying theme of economic, environmental and societal sustainability. The policy has a vision of ensuring vibrant and thriving...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Policies (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: As I said, the development of rural-proofing is a key commitment in Our Rural Future. We expect the consultants' report in the coming weeks. I have not seen the draft but when I get the final report I will consider it carefully. I want to make sure we put an effective model in place. We do not want it to be a box-ticking exercise. We have looked at the practice in other jurisdictions and...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Departmental Policies (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy. When I was appointed Minister in this Government I made the decision that the Department of Rural and Community Development would be kept as a stand-alone Department. That is a strong signal of this Government's commitment to rural development. It is a great Department and I am proud to be part of it. On rural-proofing, we need to find the formula that works for rural...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Island Communities (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The Government's objective is that sustainable and vibrant communities can continue to live on the country's offshore islands. For this to be achieved, it is essential that investment is made in the maintenance and upgrading of island infrastructure. To this end, I have increased the allocation available for capital works on the islands from...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Island Communities (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I want to be clear about the Dursey Island cable car. This was a problem of Cork County Council's making. It made an announcement with no prior notice to my Department. It just said it was closing the cable car. I was pleased to step in at the last minute, last week. I was kept abreast of the matter. I worked hard with Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan and Senator Tim Lombard to find a...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Island Communities (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: If you take away a service, you have a duty to put in a replacement. The council did not engage with us, but when it did, we got a solution. I recognise the work of Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan and Senator Lombard, who worked hard to find solutions. Regarding what I have done for the islands, there has been unprecedented investment in the islands. I was on Bere Island in the summer....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Island Communities (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I have visited a good few of the islands and I absolutely understand the concerns of the islanders. I have been there and listened to them.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Island Communities (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I saw the video about the concerns of the people on Dursey Island. We responded when an approach was made to us.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Island Communities (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. As he is aware, the public service obligation, PSO, status of the air service to the Aran Islands lapsed some years ago. My Department is now bringing the service back into EU public service obligation regularity compliance. The procurement process is currently under way for the new contract. Once completed, it will bring long-term certainty of...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Island Communities (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: There is no proposal for an air service to Inishbofin. As I understand it, there is no particular demand for an air service there. In terms of the ferry service, a number of issues have been raised by the islanders. We have taken those on board. All contracts, as the Deputy knows, are procured through a tendering process and adhere to all procurement rules and regulations. All...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Island Communities (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: As the Deputy is aware, the Government recently announced schemes that are designed to lessen the impact of the rise in the cost of living that is currently being experienced by all sections of our society. One such announcement includes a €54 million package that will see a 20% average fare reduction on PSO bus and rail services that are managed by the National Transport Authority,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Island Communities (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: As I said, I have written to the Attorney General and I will await his advice on the issue. The Deputy can understand we do not want to cause difficulties with any procurement process that leaves us open to challenges.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Digital Hubs (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: I propose to take Questions Nos. 75, 110 and 138 together. I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Our Rural Future: Rural Development Policy 2021-2025 recognises the potential of remote working hubs as key economic assets for our rural towns and villages. Notwithstanding the clear benefits to individuals and families in terms of quality of life indicators, remote working from hubs...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Digital Hubs (5 Apr 2022)

Heather Humphreys: We launched the connected hubs initiative in the Mill Enterprise Centre, Drogheda. There is no better example than there of the potential of remote working. There is a great deal of industry and remote work and it is an excellent place. The connected hubs scheme is available to access on an app. On their mobile phone, people can book a desk or an office and it is all done online. It is...